Value for money in the health sector: the contribution of primary health care.

Since the Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, primary health care (PHC) has been seen in most countries as a vital part of any strategy to improve the health of the population. Economic evaluations of PHC delivery and PHC activities are therefore needed to assist in decision-making on resource use in the health sector. A report was prepared on such economic evaluations in the Commonwealth and this paper summarizes those findings which relate to developing Commonwealth countries. After a brief explanation of the main methods of economic evaluation, existing evaluations, classified according to the eight essential elements of PHC, are reviewed. The literature review throws up a number of methodological issues of which policy-makers need to be aware when interpreting evaluations. These are pointed out before moving on to a consideration of what lessons the literature may hold about the value and affordability of PHC and the most efficient ways of delivering PHC activities. The final section suggests that, although economic evaluation techniques have an important role to play in decision-making, they have not so far been used to best advantage. A number of ways in which health ministries could increase the usefulness of the evaluations they commission are considered.